THE reopening of a busy road in North Tyneside has brought relief to motorists as the £7.2m upgrade for Billy Mill roundabout enters its final stages.
Since October 2016, access from Lynn Road to the Billy Mill junction has been restricted to buses only, as work progressed on North Tyneside Council’s ambitious A1058 Coast Road Improvement Scheme.
Now the restrictions have been permanently lifted as the massive project draws to a close - some three months ahead of schedule.
It was a further piece of good news for motorists, after a temporary ‘no right turn’ restriction from Regent Terrace on to Beach Road was lifted on Thursday.
Cllr John Harrison, Cabinet Member for Housing and Transport, said: “The restriction was a vital safety measure whilst work was carried out at the junction, and it also guaranteed that vital bus routes could operate to timetable during the scheme.
“We want to thank everybody for their patience during the last few months. I am sure that the re-opening of Lynn Road will be welcomed by all concerned as, indeed, will the lifting of the Regent Terrace to Beach Road restriction.
“The Billy Mill scheme is well ahead of its original May 2017 completion date and, while there is still some resurfacing work to be done along with other minor works, it won’t be long before the benefits of this major investment in the borough’s roads network begin to be realised.”
Elsewhere in the borough, as work continues to repair the A193 Wallsend Road Bridge, motorists are reminded that there will be offside lane closures in both directions, for two-weeks, starting on Monday 27 February.
The closures are to ensure safe working while alterations are made to the central reservation at the Percy Main end of the bridge.
Once this phase of work is completed on the central reservation, a traffic contraflow will be introduced for the duration of the bridge improvement scheme, which is expected to take around 37 weeks in total.
